Your Hearing Loss may be a Result of Common Painkillers

Women taking household painkillers like ibuprofin and acetaminophen (found in many pain relievers) may experience hearing loss over time, according to researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Taking Common Painkillers may = Hearing Loss

The researchers began their study in 1995, examining 62,261 female subjects, all under 50 years of age. By 2009, women experiencing reduced hearing capability numbered 10,012. Statistics are as follows:

Women on ibuprofen 2-3 days weekly: 13 percent hearing loss by 2009

Women on ibuprofen 4-5 days weekly: 21 percent hearing loss by 2009

Women on ibuprofen 6+ days weekly: 24 percent hearing loss by 2009

Women on acetaminophen showed similar results, though aspirin did not seem to result in hearing loss in this research.

Males Affected by Painkillers

Women are not alone in the risk. French, Finnish, and Danish scientists found that taking more than even one “mild painkiller” at a time during pregnancy could affect an unborn male child by increasing its risk of undescended testicles by 7 times. Cited “mild” painkillers include ibuprofen, aspirin, and paracetamol. Taking more than one painkiller at a time in the second trimester more than doubled the risk to 16-fold.

NSAIDS and Hearing Loss

Dr. Sharon Curhan, author of the study on hearing loss, says that painkillers, while found in most family medicine cabinets, are not as benign as we think. “Possible mechanisms might be that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) may reduce blood flow to the cochlea—the hearing organ—and impair its function.” She added, “Acetaminophen may deplete factors that protect the cochlea from damage.”

The smart option would be to avoid these painkillers altogether and turn to natural solutions. Since headaches are a major reason for common painkiller use, you could Acupuncture is try various home remedies for headaches. Another option for pain would be acupuncture, or various natural foods that could target the core reason for your pain. But to possibly counteract the negative damage caused by NSAIDS, you could actually try consuming some licorice and experiences the various licorice benefits.